On 12/31, at midnight, was the moment I couldn't wait to farewell 2021. It was also the moment when the plane took off, and we're leaving Hong Kong.
A lot of people ask "Why are you moving to the UK?", some would ask further "why not Canada?". I find these to be extremely difficult questions to answer.
The laziest answer would be: "My boyfriend found a job in London, that's why we're moving".
And I might also add: "as you know, a lot of people from Hong Kong are moving to the UK. It's an easy option for people with a BNO".
(And sometimes I thought to myself those answers actually sounded a bit fake)
I spent quite some time thinking about the WHY, because it's not so intuitive for me to pick a brand new country when there are already 3 other more familiar places I could already choose from.
The truth is, leaving Hong Kong is a very strong push factor that I almost didn't care where I am going. A change of scenery is all I needed, a place where I would not be easily reminded of things that happened since 2019. A place where he could be confident to live and work. A place where we wouldn't have to carry an extra phone all the time to be using the government app that we don't trust, or otherwise not being able to eat in a restaurant (the two phones annoyed me quite a bit).
Then the pull factors are rather simple. The doors of UK are widely open for us to enter (at least that's how it felt like). And of course on the practical side, the chances of finding a new source of income should also be higher in the UK.
So here we are - it took us just 4 months from planning to arriving in London, with our beloved dog, starting a new chapter in 2022.
2021 was no doubt one of the most (if not the single most) difficult year of my life. I am genuinely grateful that I somehow managed to stay mentally healthy (to an extent). This is a year of emotional coaster ride, plenty of "Me" time (because of 28 days quarantine), and a lots of reflection to re-prioritize what is important to me.
After all, I truly feel fortunate to end 2021 with a hello to a brand new chapter in London, along with a lots of support from family and friends, couldn't ask for more!
Farewell is never easy. In all my previous international moves, I'd always think to myself "I'll probably come back someday". But this time, I thought to myself "I may actually move out of this place for good!" And this makes the "goodbyes" very different (and difficult).
If there's one thing to keep in mind when l left this place, it's that the world is round , and full of possibilities. The people that I get to see now again in London are those whom I met in different places, at different stages of life. And the feeling is magical, to cross paths again.
Nevertheless, I will, and already am, secretly missing the day-to-day interaction with people around me, being in the same physical place, the proximity that allow spontaneous and regular hangouts etc... these can never be replaced by technology (not even Metaverse perhaps?)
I am excited for what the future holds, and embrace this new chapter with an open mind. After all, it isn't bad at all to have access to large open space, fresh air, a variety of Musicals, and the opportunity to co-live with COVID (rather than eliminate!)
Comments